Historic Jeddah: The revival of the open-air museum city

Jeddah is abundant with unique and many historical, archaeological and urban sites.  

The city is a museum within itself, with a various historical monument, and places of cultural significant, the city is an important location in Saudi history. Some monuments and locations even date back to the 3rd century BC.   

Home to more than 600 heritage buildings, 36 historical mosques and 5 major historical marketplaces, in addition to a number of ancient plazas and historical sites such as the old waterfront, Jeddah is a city that will interest and excite history buffs. 

Jeddah can be considered an open-air museum with its archaeological houses and ancient buildings that narrate part of the history of the city, such landmarks that makes it easier for the visitor to explore the long history of each monument according to its own era. 

Jeddah Wall and its Seven Gates 

With its seven gates, the Wall of Jeddah tops the list of its heritage landmarks. Each gate is a testament to the city's rich history, including Bab (gate or door) Makkah, Bab Al-Madina, Bab Shareef, Bab Jadeed, Bab Al-Bantt and Bab Al-Magarba. Such is the case with its old neighborhoods, historical mosques and ancient marketplaces. All these landmarks together constitute a unique historical registry for the city. 

There are other landmarks that enjoy their own special characteristic in Jeddah, including Bait Nassif (Nassif’s house) which is considered one of the most important heritage landmarks in the city that acquired a special status after the late King Abdulaziz was hosted by Sheikh Omar Nassif in it.

In this house, the residents of Jeddah pledged allegiance to King Abdulaziz in 1925. The house was built in 1289 H, but took 10 years to finish the building process. Sheik Nassif gave the house as a gift to the Kingdom. 

• 

•